Interview 2: György Beck, Chairman, Vodafone Hungary

  • 22 May 2012 12:00 PM
Interview 2: György Beck, Chairman, Vodafone Hungary
1. What’s been happening at work and at home since your first Xpat Interview?

Click here to read his first interview

Vodafone Hungary celebrated the renewal of its mobile network by bringing Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button to drive in downtown Budapest. That special event on 1 May was part of a four-day festival to encourage an audience of thousands to 'start something new.' Throughout the weekend on Fashion Street in Budapest, event attendees had the chance to sit in a Formula 1 car, see a pit-stop style tyre change, and play a F1 racing game.

2. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you with your life in Hungary, and why?
Overall 6 – the general political and economic environment pushes the number down, however I think in my personal life is 9.

3. What’s the best party you’ve been and why?
In August 2004, after the Water-polo final on the Olympics in Athens, the Hungarian Team won against Serbia. From 3pm till the morning of next day we celebrated with the whole Olympic Village.

4. What’s your favourite drink?
Red wine – from Gyögy Lőrinc at Egerszalók. He has a Merlot I really like.

5. What hidden talents do you have?
I like maths, when looking at numbers I can’t resist playing with them, to make things add up.

6. What was the most interesting travel trip you have ever taken?
With the Digital Equipment I worked for, we have received a special award, travel to Hawaii with three of my colleagues and their spouses. Looking at the map we decided to go on a very interesting route. We started the trip in San Francisco, went to Hawaii then on the way home from there to New Zealand and Australia, it was an amazing around the world trip.

7. If you were given a wish that could come true, what would you ask for?
Health and happiness for my children and all the members of my family.

8. What’s the last book you read, and movie you watched?
Book: Steve Jobs autobiography
Film: the Oscar winning The Iron Lady.

9. If someone wrote a biography about you, what would the title be?
28 years professional career in one chair. Since I worked for the same company that changed its name 6 times. Finally after 28 years with them I moved to Vodafone.

10. What is the perfect pizza toppings combination for you?
Sea-food since I am a big fan of it.

11. If you could trade places with any other person for a week, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
As a dream…maybe Obama, just for a week.

12. On a scale of 1 to 10 how unusual are you, and why?
I think around 7. I’m quite normal, I don’t have any special or unique features.

13. What’s the best website you’ve ever visited, and why?
vlv.hu – the Hungarian water-polo team’s website.

14. Who do you admire the most, and why?
My parents, as they dedicated they whole life for their children.

15. What do you like best and least about living in Hungary?
The best is that I have lots of friends here. Least: some people who do not keep their words, specifically the demagogic type.

16. What has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
My wife – we’ve been together for 37 years. When I met her a new life has started as before that I was a lone ranger.

17. If you won USD 30 million, what would you do with the money?
I would give a part of it to my children and to my family. I would make some personal donations to my home town, Cegléd. A small fraction would be used for travelling.

18. If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Lucky Man, by Emerson Lake and Palmer.

19. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
Budapest, with all its pro’s and con’s.

20. In ten years from now what will you be doing?
Most probably sitting in my chair in the garden at home and reading books.

  • How does this interview make you feel?